New York's Mid Island Little League all-stars scored more runs than any of the teams that took the field before them on opening day at the East Region Invitational.

But they ran into a team that scored even more.

After falling behind 2-0 in the first inning, New Jersey's Monroe Township Little League scored seven runs in the bottom of the first and led the rest of the way in a 14-9 victory.

“These guys came out and they were all fired up right from the beginning,” said New Jersey manager Jim Love.

That was no easy task considering the early deficit. New York got a double from Matt Bedford to start the game, and he scored on an error. Justin Klayman also scored from third when another runner was picked off second.

But the 2-0 lead didn't last long.

New Jersey opened its half of the inning with a hard-hit ball off the bat of Caden Dulin that got through the infield. The Monroe stars followed with four consecutive hits – an RBI triple by Jon Wood, an RBI double by Brett Wichrowski, an RBI double by Dillon Love and a single by Ryan Achey. After an error and a wild pitch scored two more, Joey Racabaldo drove home the sixth and seventh runs with a base hit.

“We came right back and scored seven,” Jim Love said. “They didn't get down on themselves. Timely hitting, great pitching – that's how you win games.”

New York also was undeterred after it fell behind, and scored seven runs in the next four innings. But New Jersey remained in front the entire time.

New York got closest when Bedford hit a solo home run to make it 10-9 in the fifth. This time, New Jersey responded with four runs to regain control. Dulin had a two-run single, while Wood and Love also drove in runs with base hits.

“You're not going to get a big lead and think you're going to coast,” Jim Love said. “That's what this tournament is all about. We were fortunate to be able to get some more runs.”

New York had scored in each of the first five innings, but armed with the five-run lead, New Jersey finally shut the door in the sixth. Dulin, who had come on in relief in the fourth, retired the side in order in the sixth to seal the victory.

“Caden came in and shut them down,” Love said. “He was popping the mitt, which is what you've got to do when you've got a lead.”

Wichrowski went 3-for-3 to lead the New Jersey offense and he scored four runs. Dillon Love also went 3-for-3 and drove in three runs. Racabaldo had two hits and two RBI while Lucas Dinger had two hits and knocked in one run.

Bedford paced the New York attack with four hits – two doubles, a home run and a single. He had two RBI. Klayman had an RBI double while Stephen Gerwer went 2-for-2 with two RBI.

New Jersey is back in action Sunday while New York has an off day.